11 residents at Paisley care home die from suspected coronavirus
Elderslie Care Home says a further 13 people at the facility are displaying symptoms
11 people have died from suspected coronavirus at a Paisley care home.
Elderslie Care Home says they've all passed away since the start of April. Another 13 residents at the facility are currently displaying symptoms, although none have tested positive.
In a statement the care home’s management said: “We are greatly saddened to confirm that in the 14 days since the beginning of April, 11 residents have fallen ill and subsequently passed away with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
“Every death is a great loss and our most sincere condolences go to each resident’s family and friends – they are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
“We are following strict infection control protocols as provided by Health Protection Scotland. This is in addition to our own existing infection control measures including proper hand-washing techniques, additional training for staff and the provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.”
Dr Donald MacAskill is the Chief Executive of Scottish Care, and says residents in homes are at higher risk: “The residents in Scotland’s care homes are some of the most vulnerable of our citizens.
“Many of them, perhaps as many as three quarters, are at a palliative and end-of-life stage.
“The loss of any residents is a tragedy for that family, and also for the staff involved. To have multiple deaths as a result of the coronavirus despite all the best, and most professional, infection control is understandably traumatic.”
The news came hours ahead of an announcement from the Scottish Government confirming the total number of deaths in care homes across Scotland.
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Monica Lennon has written to the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman asking whether hospital patients are tested for COVID-19 before they are discharged to a care home.
She said: “Each life lost in a care home due to coronavirus is a tragedy. It’s heart-breaking that care staff and families fear that older people are being forgotten in the fight against coronavirus.
“The Scottish Government has been too slow to act - Nicola Sturgeon must publish an emergency plan for care homes with guaranteed support on testing and PPE.”
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